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The Cartilage-Sparing Versus the Cartilage-Cutting Technique: A Retrospective Quality Control Comparison of the Francesconi and Converse Otoplasties

Kompatscher, Peter ; Schuler, C. H. ; Clemens, S. ; Seifert, Burkhardt ; Beer, Gertrude

In: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2003, vol. 27, no. 6, p. 446-453

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    Titre
    • The Cartilage-Sparing Versus the Cartilage-Cutting Technique: A Retrospective Quality Control Comparison of the Francesconi and Converse Otoplasties
    Auteur
    • Kompatscher, Peter. Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Landesklinikum, Feldkirch, Austria
    • Schuler, C. H.. Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Landesklinikum, Feldkirch, Austria
    • Clemens, S.. Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Landesklinikum, Feldkirch, Austria
    • Seifert, Burkhardt. Institute of Biostatistics, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
    • Beer, Gertrude. Division for Plastic, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospital (Academic Medical Center), Zürich, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2003, vol. 27, no. 6, p. 446-453. Springer-Verlag; www.springer-ny.com
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:310613
    Summary
    From a total of 281 patients with protruding ears who underwent a bilateral otoplasty between 1990 and 2001, a group of 28 (10%) was selected for a retrospective quality control study. The goal was to compare two methods of otoplasty, the Francesconi, a cartilage-sparing technique, and the Converse, a cartilage-cutting technique, in terms of objectively measurable and subjectively discernable differences in results. Objective parameters included measurement of the three cephaloauricular distances and the conchoscapal angle. An independent plastic surgeon performed the evaluation by means of a systematic evaluation system for rating cosmetic surgical procedures and a 5-point visual analog scale for rating satisfaction. The patients' subjective rate of satisfaction also was investigated using the 5-point scale. The mean medial and inferior cephaloauricular distances were significantly smaller in the Francesconi group. The concoscaphal angle was 90°, or less in all the patients of the Francesconi group, but more than 90° in eight patients (57%) of the Converse group (p = 0.041). Accordingly, the independent surgeon found adequate correction of protrusion in 86% of the Francesconi group and 50% of the Converse group (p = 0.050). His satisfaction rate was significantly in favor of the Francesconi technique (p = 0.006). Not unexpectedly, the patients' satisfaction rate was comparably high in both groups, and there was no statistical difference between them. In conclusion, the quality control led to a clear preference of the Francesconi over the Converse otoplasty. In addition, the assessment of the postoperative results with the systematic evaluation system offered an excellent information base by which to judge the results of otoplasty. Consequent use of this evaluation system will lead to progress in the surgical procedure